Carbohydrates: Sugars and Starches Quiz

Carbohydrates Overview

• Carbohydrates include sugars, starches, and fibers, serving as a primary energy source for the body.
• Glucose and glycogen contribute to roughly half of the energy used by muscles and body tissues.

Types of Carbohydrates

• Monosaccharides: Basic single sugar units (e.g., glucose, fructose, galactose).
• Disaccharides: Combinations of two monosaccharides (e.g., maltose, sucrose, lactose).
• Polysaccharides: Large molecules formed from chains of monosaccharides, encompassing starches and fibers.

Characteristics of Sugars

• Monosaccharides and disaccharides are referred to as simple carbohydrates.
• Polysaccharides are known as complex carbohydrates.

Important Monosaccharides

• Glucose: Known as blood sugar, it has a mild sweetness.
• Fructose: Known as fruit sugar, it's intensely sweet and found in fruits and honey.
• Galactose: Mildly sweet and contributes to lactose in milk.

Key Polysaccharides

• Starch: Principal energy source for the global population; stored energy form in plants.
• Glycogen: Main energy storage form in the human body, primarily in the liver and muscle cells.
• Fibers: Provide structural integrity in plants and are not digestible by human enzymes.

Dietary Fibers

• Non-starch polysaccharides: Make up dietary fibers present in all plant-based foods.
• Soluble fibers: Dissolve in water, form gels, and are fermentable; found in oats, legumes, and fruits.
• Insoluble fibers: Do not dissolve and promote bowel health; found in whole grains and vegetables.

Special Types of Starches

• Resistant starches: Undigested in the small intestine; found in partially milled grains, legumes, and chilled cooked potatoes.

Additional Components

• Phytic acid: Found in grain husks and binds minerals but is not classified as dietary fiber.
• Available carbohydrates: Starches and sugars broken down by digestive enzymes for energy.
• Unavailable carbohydrates: Fibers that remain undigested due to the inability of human enzymes to break down their bonds.

Biochemical Processes

• Glycobiology: Study of sugars and their biological roles.
• Gluconeogenesis: Conversion of protein to glucose, providing a new source of glucose.
• Protein-sparing action: Adequate carbohydrate intake prevents protein from being used as an energy source.

Health Implications

• Type 1 diabetes: Characterized by the pancreas's failure to produce insulin.
• Type 2 diabetes: More common type where cells are resistant to insulin.
• Hypoglycemia: Result of poorly managed diabetes leading to excessive insulin levels.

Test your knowledge on carbohydrates with this flashcard quiz covering sugars, starches, and fibers. Learn about the different types of carbohydrates including monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides. Perfect for students studying nutrition and biological sciences.